Coast Guard Rescues Four From Sinking Lobster Boat [VIDEO]

Coast Guard imagery shows the 60-foot Sakonnet Lobster sinking about 40 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island.

The U.S. Coast Guard plucked four lobstermen from the Atlantic Ocean Thursday who were forced to abandon their sinking lobster boat about 40 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island.

The Coast Guard said its Sector Southeastern New England received a distress call at about 4:15 a.m. Thursday from the four-man crew aboard the Sakonnet Lobster that the 60-foot boat was taking on water. The Coast Guard Command Center in Boston launched a helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod and the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Chinook was diverted the Sakonnet Lobster’s position.

At about 6:40 a.m., the Sakonnet Lobster crew had donned their survival suits and abandoned ship.

The aircrew arrived on scene and hoisted all four fishermen safely aboard by 7 a.m. before transporting the men to shore where EMS awaited. No injuries were reported.

Video from the scene shows the lobster boat foundering in less-than-calm seas before the men are hoisted to the helicopter with the help from a rescue swimmer.

The Sakonett Lobster sank in about 250 feet of water, and the Cutter Chinook marked its last known position, the Coast Guard said.

The weather on scene was 30-knot winds with 6-foot seas, the Coast Guard said. Water temperature was reported to be 64 degrees and air temp was 59 degrees, the Coast Guard added.

“These are very lucky, but also very prepared fishermen,” said Lt. Matt Vanderslice, the aircraft co-pilot from Air Station Cape Cod. “They had all the right gear onboard, it worked, and they knew how to use it – That’s why they’re safely back on land today.”

Check out the video of the rescue below:

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